Portable power drill safety support



Feb. 2, 1943.y A. KOWALSKE 2,309,777

PORTABLE POWER DRILL SAFETY SUPPORT Filed Aug. 14, 1941 Patented Feb. 2, 1943 NETED TES PATENTS? vQFiTflCE ER DRILL SAFETY PORT PORTABLE-"POW 'SUP .4 Claims.

This invention relates generally to a mounting or support for portable power tools, either electric or fluid pressure drive, and relates more particularly to a means for vmounting a portable power tool, such as a drill or the like, aifording a high degree of safety and wide range of adjustment in the initial set-up of the tool, in either a vertical or horizontal plane, and also permitting of convenient feed and wide range of adjustment during operation, together with a high factor of safety throughout the operating period and under varying conditions of use which heretofore have been accompanied by unusual hazards to the operator.

As illustrative of one instance involving a hazard and difliculty of operation, as applied to a portable drilling operation, reference may be made to the tendency of a drill to stick or catch, on occasions, and to have a whipping or unsteady action, particularly high speed drills, when breaking through a surface or in striking a tough spot, and also in reversing the drill to relieve a jammed condition or to elect withdrawal. Where the frame of the drill is provided with a radially extending bar or Yhandle to steady the drill, there is a particular hazard in the likelihood that the bar or steadying handle will whip about and possibly strike the operator or some object, causing severe injury or damage to the person or property.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a mounting or support for a portable tool, such as a power drill, which aords a wide range of adjustability vertically and radially in a horizontal plane, to cover a relatively wide area about a central supporting post.

A further object is to provide a safety lfeature for the tool which is simple in construction, yet is effective automatically, as the tool is fed forward in operation, to steady the tool in an upright functioning position and to restrain the tool and any radially extending bar or handle against a whipping effect or torsional or rotary movement without interfering with the free movement of the tool and adjustment of its position vertically, radially or by rotation about the main supporting post.

Another object is to provide a simple and effective means of readily and accurately adjusting a portable tool, such as a power drill, to its initial set-up position and to firmly hold or lock the tool in such functioning position against accidental movement radially or circumferentially of the supportingV post, in order to secure accurate tool functioning and to provide a'simple means for effectively feeding the tool over relatively long distances beyond vthe range-ofthe short -distance-or ne feed provided on the portable 4tool, without interfering '-With the 'initial adjustments made `irl-setting up the tool.

A further object is to provide a-simple-and effect-ive structure permitting initial vertical -ad justment of a portable power` tool cna radially adjustable -tool carrier, the Aarrangement being such that a one-way dog or vstop latch,-or the like, permits the power -tool to -be'loweredin-successive steps by manual withdrawal of the dog, and raised by a Acontinuous sliding 'movement -of the power 4tool and the rack-like tool-supporting arm, to facilitate 'withdrawal of the tool,-or-its re-location, Iafter Aan operation, such as `drilling, has been-completed.

One selected embodiment is `shown in -the accompanying Idrawing for purposes Aofviillustration. 'Various changes in detail, construction, and arrangement lmay be-made'without departing from the spirita-nd scope-of this invention.

In the drawing:

VFigure l isv a front elevation -of the support showing, in dotted lines, a `portable power-drill held in operating position;

Figure 2 is-a-sideelevation of-Figure 1,- showing thebottomportion of the supporting post-broken;

Figure 3 is a section-looking Vin thedirectionof the -arrows and taken on the line III-III-of Figure 1, showing rnoreclearly the radially vadjustable block from which the-vertical stepped downward feed adjustment of the `-power supporting tool Yis Aeffected through the manually actuated 'dog or spring-pressed pawl; jand ligure 4 is-a `top plan Apartly-in section-looking in the direction of the arrows and taken on the line IV-IV'ofFigure 3, showing the bifurcated or forked arm which-directlysupports theportable power drill in such a'mannerlas to permit the downward screw feed-of drill -or other tool.

Asshown-in the selectedembodiment chosen for the purposes Iof4 illustration, the safety support for a portable power tool 4includes a -means for supporting a portable power too1,such-as a powerdrill casing-or frame, -in-an-elevated position in such amanner that lit hasa -wide range of movement and adjustability -forv various positions in horizontal and vvertical planes. The movement over a VWide "range in a horizontal plane is desirable to enable the tool, such-asa drill or the like,to be readily shifted -to-different functioning positions over a wide area, within the limits of the primary supporting structure, ina minimum of time and with-a minimum of manual effort and attention to the safety features. A safety feature is effective to the extent that it is made to be substantially fool-proof and independent of necessity for manual effort and attention on the part of the operator, and also to the extent that it minimizes interference with the normal operation and re-positioning and adjustment of the tool in use. The simplicity of structure and the effectiveness in use of the present safety feature, over a wide area and range of setting and operations, accords in a very great measure with the above requirements of a desirable safety in the use of a portable power tool, such as a drill, to minimize the tendency of sudden and unexpected whipping or twisting of the drill casing and its steadying bar, which is likely to cause injury to person or property unless such an unexpected contingency is guarded against by suitable safety means.

As shown, a post I extends upward from a suitable base 2 which may, if desired, be fixed or anchored in any suitable manner, such, for eX- ample, as by anchor bolts 3, to a suitable support. A tool-supporting arm 4 extends radially outward from the post and is supported on the post in such a manner as to be capable of being adjusted to different heights on the post and either to be freely swung about the post for changing the position of the tool in a horizontal plane, or to be held fixed in any given position to facilitate accurate functioning of the tool. For this purpose, and as shown, the arm 4 is carried by a sleeve 5 about the post I. A set screw 6 or other suitable clamping means may be provided for retaining swinging movement of the arm 4 about the post I, and also for restraining any upward thrust or movement of the arm on the post, such, for example, as during the downward screw feed of the drill while functioning. The collar 'I is slidable up and down on the post I below the sleeve 5 which normally rests on the collar 'I. The collar 'l is secured in fixed position at the desired height on the post I by a suitable means, such as a set screw 8, which may be conveniently actuated by a handle, as shown.

A plural means of adjustment of the height of the arm 4 on the post are shown by employing the set screws B and 9, disposed as shown. The collar 'I is the primary means for determining the height of the arm 4 on the post and provides the main vertical support for arm 4 in such a manner as to permit free swinging movement of the arm 4 about the post, and also enables the arm 4 and its portable tool suspended therefrom, together with the connection with the safety feature (hereinafter to be more fullyset forth), to freely slide upward on the post I in withdrawing the drill or in re-positioning the same.

A tool-supporting block 9 is provided and so arranged as to Vbe moved along the arm 4 and may be adjustably fixed at different positions thereon, corresponding to the location of the tool, by a suitable means such as a clamping screw I9, more clearly shown in Figure 3.

The portable power tool 22 is carried by the block 9 and is held in a relatively fixed functioning position by securing the block 9 on the arm 4 by clamp I0, and by securing the arm 4 on the post by means of the clamping screw 6. Various means may be employed for suspending the power tool from the block 9. As shown, the portable power drill 22 is of a type having a stud 29 at the top thereof to facilitate centering of the tool, and is also provided with a steadying arm or rod 23 extending radially outward from the tool casing or frame 22. The portable power drill, as shown, is also provided with a conventional type of screw-feeding means, such as a manually rotatable means which may assume the form of radially extending arms or spokelike members 2|, or a hand wheel. One of the feed screw members may be rotatable with the manual feed-control member 2|, which is held centered in the socket I8 in the lower portion I9 of the block 9 by means of the stud 20, which is received by the socket I8. The other member of the conventional feed screw arrangement for the drill is connected to, or mounted to move downwardly with, the power drill casing 22 and the drill 24. As the feed means may be of the conventional type well known to those skilled in the art, the details thereof are not shown herein.

The portable power drill supporting means as shown herein, associated with the block 9, are of a type to facilitate the initial positioning of the tool in the block 9 and to permit the ready insertion of the stud 29 within the socket I8. As shown, a tool-supporting arm II extends downwardly through a slot I2 in the block 9 and lies adjacent one side of the arm 4. The parts may be so arranged, relatively, laccording to size and proportion, that the screw clamp I0 may serve to clamp the arm II in xed relation with the arm 4 and block 9, or the relations may be such as to permit the arm I I to slide through the slot I2 in block 9 and be held in fixed position by the latch bolt I6 which is urged in one direction by the coil spring |68. 'Ihe bolt may be contained in a suitable housing on bleek 9 and may be manually retracted against the spring pressure by the handle, as shown. The upper end of the arm II may be provided with notched recesses I5 adapted to receive the projecting end of the bolt I6, which may be provided with a beveled or inclined face I7 on the lower side, so that the arm II may be slid freely upwardly through the slot I2 in block 9, after the portable power drill 22 has been lbrought to proper position on the lower end of the arm, with the stud 2U below and in alignment with the socket I8.

In order to support or suspend the power tool casing 22 on and from the lower end of the arm II in such a manner as to permit free rotation of the arms 2| of the screw feed means for the drill, without interference, the lower portion of the arm is bent to one side of the vertical arm and is bent back in a C-shaped bend so that the lower portion of the arm is below the feed arms 2|. The end of the arm is bifurcated, as shown in Figure 4, to form a forked portion I4 which receives the lower end 2|?a of the stud portion 20, without interfering with the downward feed of the drill 24 which may be suitably mounted in any conventional type of brace or chuck carried by the tool casing.

A safety feature is provided which is automatically effective to steady and control the movement of the steadying bar 23 throughout the downward feeding of the drill, and also during any upward withdrawal of the drill and during any period when the drill may be breaking through a surface or a tough spot in the material, when there may exist conditions causing an unusual whipping or torsional reaction thrust tending to turn the steadying bar 23 about the vertical axis of the portable tool 22. Reference is made to the automatic contro1 of the movement of the steadying bar, in the sense that a steadying or restraining influence is exerted upon the steadying bar 23 over a wide range of movements of the-tool in horizontal planes, Aor in vertical planes, and under a rwide rangeof conditions of tool operation, all this lbeingaccomplished without re- `quiring any special, conscious effort or attention on 'the part-of the operator. Such a safety feature minimizes physical and mental strain, therebylessening the fatigue factor and, consequently, increasing Vthe output capacity of the operator, or allowing him to direct his efforts and attention to other factors requiring control for precise and neat work. In the preferred form shown, the various safety features are obtained by a very simple` structure and arrangement of parts. The simplicity of structure is a feature of intrinsic value which greatly enhances its merit and utilization, particularly in the safety iield, where there is a disposition on the part of the operator to avoid the use of a safety device when it is of a complicated nature or is not convenient to use, and-also in the case where the arrangement and structure is such as is likely to slow down the operation and interfere with the rate of production. In the preferred form shown, a collar 25 is freely slidable up, down, and about the post l, and by a suitable connection, preferably by a hooked connector is hung on the steadying bar 23. Such an arrangement enables free sliding relation between the hooked portion 26 and collar `--which may be conveniently referred to as a safety or steadying guard-as the portable drill is moved radially of the post i and along the arm 3. Various changes and modifications in detail, construction, and arrangement of the guard may be made by the person skilled in the art without departing from the invention, If desired, the detail structure of the connection of the guard with the arm 23 may be made to provide an accurate bearing or seating of the arm 23 therein, to serve as an aid to accurate centering and positioning of the tool, initially and during operation, so as to preserve Vertical alignment of the functioning tool by preventing any tendency of the arm 23 to be tilted in a vertical plane. This may be done without sacrificing the restraining inuence of the guard to prevent a torsional throw or 'whipping action of the steadying arm 23 in a horizontal plane. Under certain conditions may be desirable, during operation of the drill, to afford additional and more accurate steadying by clamping the collar 25 on the post and providing other independent vertical guide `means associated with and on the guard.

While one selected embodiment has been shown'and described for the purposes of illustration, various changes and modifications in detail construction and arrangement may be Vmade by those skilled in the art, particularly in the safety guard and its relation to the steadying arm and the post, without departing `from the spirit and scope oi the invention as deined in the appended claims. One 'such modification which may be employed in a manner to still retain the steadying and safety features cf the guard, is to provide an independent or supplementary support and guide for the same, or an additional steadying arm other than the post i.

I claim:

1. A support for a portable power tool of the type having a positioning means at the top portion of the portable tool and also having a conventional type of vertical feeding means formed as a composite part of the portable tool, said power tool also having a steadying arm extending from the frame thereof, said support including a supporting post, means for securing the post in yupright position, a tool-supporting arm extending radially 'from said post, mounted for vertical movement on, and rotary movement about, said post, plural clamping means mounted and movable independent of-each other, one of which is movable with the arm and is arranged to simultaneously restrain the Varm against either vertical or rotary movement relative to the post, and thesecond clamping means being'arranged to support the arm on the post at various heights without restraint of rotary movement of the arm or vertical upward movement of the arm to facilitate withdrawal or repositioning of the portable power tocl, and including a tool-supporting and centering block movable along said radially extending arm, a tool-positioning and centering means arranged on said block, and a toolsupporting arm carried by said block so arranged and disposed as to support 4the tool and carry the main weight thereof and including means arranged to clamp said tool-supporting arm in xed position, and a tool-steadying means mounted on said postV and adapted to receive the end of said steadying arm extending from the frame of the power tool, said tool-steadying means including a collar freely slidable upon and rotatable about said post support whereby said tool-steadying means is effective to function automatically without manual adjustment for all movements of the portable ypower tool in a horizontal .plane radially or circumferentially of the post or in a vertical plane. s

2. A support for a portable power drill of the type having a centering stud at the top portion of the portable tool and also having a conventional type of vertical feeding means below the centering stud formed as a composite part of the portable tool, said V.power tool also having aA steadying arm extending from Athe frame thereof, said support including ya supporting post, a base therefor, a tool-supporting arm extending radially from said post and mounted for vertical movement on, and rotary movement about, said post, means independent of the arm and adapted to be xed at diiferent elevations on the post below said arm and including a collar slidable on the post and means for securing the collar thereon whereby said arm may be freely rotatable about the post at different heights, and locking means for restraining rotation of said arm on said post, a tool-supporting and centering block movable along said radially extending arm, clamping means to prevent relative movement between said blocl: and said arm, a tool-positioning and centering means arranged on said block including a socket adapted to receive the centering stud projecting from the top portion of said tool, -a tool-supporting arm carried by said block so arranged and disposed as to support the tool and carry the main weight thereof and to be vertically adjustable in said block to facilitate positioning of said tool in said block including means arranged to clamp said tool-supporting arm in fixed position relative said block and arm, said vertically adjustable arrangement including a guiding slot in said block for said tool-supporting arm, manually controlled means associated therewith for retaining said tool-supporting arm at different heights corresponding to a power tool-receiving position land a power tool-functioning or operating position, said manually actuated control means including a yielding latch member and a plurality of notches whereby the tool-supporting arm may be pushed upward from a power tool-receiving position to a tool-functioning position Without requiring manual retraction of the latch member, a tool-steadying means mounted on said post and adapted to receive the end of said steadying arm extending from the frame of the power tool, said steadying means being freely slidable up and down on said post and being freely rotatable about said post, said tool-steadying means including a collar `freely slidable upon and rotatable about said post support, and a slidable connection with the outer end of the steadying arm extending from the frame of the portable power tool, said slidable connection including a hooked C portion open at the bottom to facilitate hanging of such toolsteadying means upon the steadying arm whereby said tool-steadying means is effective to function automatically without manual adjustment for all movements of the portable power tool either radially of the post along the radially'- extending arm, or in any arc about the post or upward or downward in a vertical plane either during the initial adjustment of the tool to operating position or during withdrawal or readjustment of the tool to a new position.

3. A support for a portable power tool of the type having a positioning means at the top portion of the portable tool and also having a conventional type of vertical feeding means formed as a composite -part of the portable tool, said power tool also having a steadying arm extending from the frame thereof, said support including a supporting post, means for securing the post in upright position, a tool-supporting arm extending radially from said post, mounted for vertical movement on, and rotary movement about, said post, plural clamping means mounted and movable independent of each other, one of which is movable with the arm and is arranged to simultaneously restrain the arm against either vertical or rotary movement relative to the post, and the second clamping means being arranged to support the arm on the post at various heights without restraint of rotary movement of the arm or vertical upward movement of the arm to facilitate withdrawal or repositioning of the portable power tool, land including a tool-supporting and centering block movable along said radially extending arm and clamping means to prevent relative movement between said block and said arm, a tool-positioning and centering means arranged on said block and a tool-supporting arm carried by said block so arranged and disposed as to support the tool and carry the main weight thereof and to be vertically adjustable in said block to facilitate positioning of said tool in said block, manually controlled means associated therewith for retaining said tool-supporting arm at different heights, said manually controlled means including a rack-like bar and spring-pressed detent permitting free sliding movement of said tool-supporting arm in one direction but requiring manual actuation of said detent to permit movement of said arm in the opposite direction, the lower portion of said tool-supporting arm including a C-shaped portion adapted to receive and to permit rotation of the manually actuated rotatable feed member of the portable tool, the end of the C-shaped portion being bifurcated and adapted to receive the stud below the rotatable feed member in such a manner as not to interiere with the downward screw feed of the power tool during operation of the portable power tool, and a tool-steadying means mounted on said post and adapted to receive the end of said steadying arm extending from the frame of the power tool whereby said tool steadying means is effective to function automatically without manual adjustment for all movements of the portable power tool either during the initial adjustment of the tool to operating position or during withdrawal or readjustment of the tool to a new position in a horizontal plane radially or circumferentially of the post or in a vertical plane.

4. A support for a portable power tool of the type having a positioning means at the top portion of the portable tool and also having a conventional type of vertical feeding means formed as a composite part of the portable tool, said power tool also having a steadying arm extending from the frame thereof, said support including a supporting post, means for securing the post in upright position, a tool-supporting arm extending radially from said post and mounted for vertical movement on, and rotary movement about, said post, means independent of the arm and adapted to be xed at diierent elevations on the post below said arm whereby said arm may be freely rotatable about the post at different heights, a tool-supporting and centering block movable along said radially extending arm, clamping means to prevent relative movement between said block and said arm, a tool-positioning and centering means arranged on said block and a tool-supporting arm carried by said block so arranged and disposed as to support the tool and carry the main weight thereof and including means arranged to clamp said tool-supporting arm in xed position relative said block and arm, said tool-steadying means including a collar freely slidable upon and rotatable about said post support, and a slidable connection with the outer end of the steadying arm extending from the frame of the portable power tool, whereby said tool-steadying means is effective to function automatically without manual 'adjustment for all movements of the portable power tool either during the initial adjustment of the tool to operating position or during withdrawal or readjustment of the tool to a new position in a horizontal plane radially or circumferentially of the post or in a vertical plane.

ADOLPH LEWIS KOWALSKE. 

